Dear Parents and Students,   

Last week was one focused on good works, activism, and awareness here at Notre Dame.  Over the weekend, a group of our students, along with staff chaperones Sr. Virginia, Mr. Burke, and Mr. McDonald, along with Board Member Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. traveled to DC for the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice.  The IFTJ is an annual gathering where members come together in the context of social justice and solidarity to learn, reflect, pray, network, and advocate together.  Saturday and Sunday were spent learning about issues from people living their faith by fighting for justice, including Helen Prejean, C.S.J. (of Dead Man Walking fame), Hector Verdugo from Homeboy Industries, and 

Fr. James Martin, S.J.  On Monday, ND representatives (pictured above) took part in a day of advocacy by meeting with members of Senator Gillibrand's staff to discuss immigration reform, environmental justice, and US foreign policy toward Central America.

On Tuesday, we hosted on our annual Global Awareness Dinner.  Thanks to Anne's Leaders and their moderators, Sr. Virginia and Ms. Vargas for the great pasta dinner for a great cause.  Special thanks to Ms. Vulcano for her help with the meal and to our Board members, Mr. & Mrs. Halloran and their friends for working as part of our kitchen crew.  We raised just over $2,000 for our sister school in the Congo.

Finally, today, we were honored to have Padre Melo here as a guest speaker for all our 9th and 12th graders.  Translated by our own Ms. Vargas, this international human rights activist talked to our students about root causes of poverty and violence in Honduras.  Our students certainly had the opportunity to grapple with the big issues and turn education into action this past week.

This coming week brings our NYSAIS accreditation site visit.  A warm welcome to Visiting Team Chair Fr. Kenneth Boller, S.J., NYSAIS Director for Accreditation and Evaluation, Ms. Judith Sheridan, and the entire visiting team!

My best,  

Jackie Brilliant

Principal